Robert Saleh on Zach Wilson taking chances: Pick your spots
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) works in the pocket against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Zach Wilson officially ran for 24 yards in the Jets’ 16-9 victory over the Broncos on Sunday, but he logged many more yards than that on a series of prolonged scrambles.
On one play, he nearly lost the ball on what would have been a devastating fumble, but he was ruled down by contact after the Broncos’ challenge of the call was not upheld.
When a reporter asked coach Robert Saleh on Monday about Wilson’s “borderline reckless” dashes, Saleh rejected the word “reckless” but not the broader concern.
“I think he’s competing his tail off to try to find a way to make a play,” Saleh said. “He’s got to be able to just say, ‘All right, I made the first guy miss. There’s nothing open. I’ve just got to get rid of this football.’
“But he continues to fight and fight and fight and try to find ways to get the ball to somebody, try to do something, which we all admire. It’s why he was the No. 2 [overall draft] pick.
“That’s why we’re excited about his future, but at the same time, he does have to learn when enough is enough . . . I don’t look at it as reckless as much as it is that he’s just got to learn to pick and choose his battles.”
n Moore is back
Saleh said receiver Elijah Moore, who last week requested a trade and did not travel to Denver after an outburst over his lack of targets, is back with the team and likely will be active Sunday against the Patriots.
Asked what he plans to say to Moore this week, Saleh said, “That conversation is going to be more organic. I don’t have a plan for the conversation. I know the type of young man he is. I’ve already said it. I just look forward to him continuing to find ways to get better and help this football team.”
Saleh said he would encourage Moore’s teammates to embrace his return.
“He doesn’t need to be alienated from this organization,” the coach said. “We love him. We think the world of him. We know what he can do from a football standpoint, how much he can help us, and we just want to help him.
“We’re not alienating or just moving him off to the side. No one’s trying to turn the corner when they see him walk in. We’re going to hit it straight on. He’s still part of this family, and family embraces one another in adversity. They don’t reject.”
Davis day-to-day
Receiver Corey Davis, who left Sunday’s game with a knee injury, is day-to-day.
“His status will be up in the air,” Saleh said.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
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